All Images by Erik Ball/Faith Conservatory

While it’s great to submerge myself in the shows and happenings on the Strip, a couple of times each year, a friend will invite me to a production featuring one of their kids.  Sometimes, I’m bored silly, and it’s everything I can do to get through the first act, and sneak out at Intermission.  But every so often, I am so genuinely impressed with one of these productions, that I feel compelled to share it with you.

Big Fish (music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, and book by John August) is the musical stage adaptation of Tim Burton’s 2003 film Big Fish (written by August); that itself was based on the 1998 novel, Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions, by Daniel Wallace

Utilizing themes borrowed from such disparate sources as Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra’s The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha, James Joyce’s Ulysses, Homer’s Iliad/Odyssey saga, and the Greek myth of the Labors of Heracles (Hercules, if you prefer the Romanized version); it is, at its core, a father-and-son tale – in this case, that of a young man on the verge of fatherhood, who is trying to reconcile his father’s larger-than-life anecdotes, with their reality – all seen through a decidedly Southern Gothic lens.  And while the father, Edward Bloom, is the indubitable protagonist of this tale; it is his son, Will, who takes the transformative journey.

While I was familiar with the story, I’d never seen the musical, and was not prepared for what awaited me, this Sunday, when I went to see the production being put-on by Faith Lutheran High School’s Faith Conservatory of the Fine Arts, as the High School Conservatory Studio Musical of the 2015-2016 season.

Now, I could wax on and on about how moved I was by the show, and how fantastic the performances were (and I was, and they were); but I doubt anything I could say would be more telling, with regards to how the show affected me, than to let you know that halfway through the second act, my friend had to hand me a tissue, because I was looking at “tearing-up” in the rearview, and was wiping my tears with the sleeve of my hoodie.

First, special commendation is due to the faculty and staff who have overseen such a great production.  Beyond the direction, staging, and technical aspects, I was especially impressed by the costumes.  I was certain that they’d been procured from a professional costume shop, and nearly fell-out upon being told that the costumes were made especially for this production.  Now, I went to a prep school with an incredible theater program, but I’ve never seen a secondary school production with such wonderful costumes – especially those from the carnival scenes and those of The Witch and Karl – The Giant.

All of the players were wonderful.  Nary an off-key note nor a misspoken line distracted me from my enjoyment of the production (and I’m always very sensitive to these).  In the leads, Jackson Langford (Edward Bloom) commanded the stage, and has a full and robust voice that belies his lanky build.  Jessica Reuttiger (Sandra Bloom) was just perfect in her role, and should seriously consider becoming a redhead, as the hair color really suits her.  Storey Pascal (The Witch) was utterly mesmerizing, and in addition to making the most of the plum role into which she was really able to sink her teeth, got to revel in some of the production’s best make-up, costuming, and hair (let’s call it Southern Goth, as it reminded me, of my many friends obsessed with The Cure and Siouxsie and the Banshees).  Also, Kyle Goulston (Amos) was charming and funny as the carnival owner stricken with lycanthropy.  But, the actor who most impressed me was Matt d’Arrigo, who – as Will – thoroughly conveyed the pathos behind his character’s transformation from straight-laced son to engaging father.

All told, if you find yourself with a couple of hours, next weekend, and want a bit of color and music and fantasy to fill your afternoon or evening; click on the link, below, and check-out this production of Big Fish.  I did, and I was delighted.  Just don’t forget to bring some Kleenex!

Faith Conservatory of the Fine Arts presents BIG FISH
Faith Lutheran Chapel | Performing Arts Center
Friday, January 29th – Sunday, January 31st
Click HERE for tickets and info

Get into it!
#BigFish

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